India sacks 47 NTA officials, tightens exam leak law with tougher penalties

By: The Hindu Bureau

Centre Sacks 47 NTA Officials, Tightens Law to Tackle Paper Leaks

In a move to crack down on exam malpractices, the Centre has taken a slew of actions, including strengthening the anti-paper leak law and terminating the services of up to 47 officials in the National Testing Agency (NTA). The Union Cabinet on Friday (July 24, 2026) cleared a proposal to introduce amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, endowing the anti-paper leak law with tougher penalties and time-bound trial mechanisms.

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AISA Calls for ‘Bihar Bandh’ on July 25 Against Police Lathi Charge on Protesting Students

Protest marches and dharna were witnessed in several districts of Bihar on Friday (July 24, 2026) by students and locals demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak. Protesters holding banners, posters, and placards carried out marches in:

• Vaishali
• Muzaffarpur
• Khagaria
• Darbhanga
• Bettiah (West Champaran)
• Supaul
• Jamui
• Samastipur
• Madhubani
• Buxar

In Vaishali, protesters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dharmendra Pradhan.

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Did Not Cut Any Deal with Government: Sonam Wangchuk

After being criticised by several social media users for ending his hunger strike in the presence of Union Ministers, activist Sonam Wangchuk released a long video message on Friday (July 24, 2026). He asserted that he “did not cut any deal” with the government and ended the fast as he feared a crackdown against students and protestors at Jantar Mantar.

He said he did not press for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s removal, as it is inevitable due to the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar and the movement by youth across the country. He ended the fast around 12:30 a.m. on Friday (July 24) in the presence of Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, his wife, and civil society leaders from Ladakh. Mr. Nadda served him soup to end the strike.

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166,000 Evacuated as Wildfires Spin Out of Control in France, Spain

Over 166,000 people were evacuated in France and Spain as unprecedented forest fires raged near Madrid and Bordeaux, a French city flanked by tourist havens and world-renowned vineyards. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday (July 24, 2026) asked the army to mobilise to help contain the worst wildfire the country has ever seen, after seeking European Union help. A local official warned the blaze was heading towards Bordeaux.

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PM Modi Thanks People for ‘Insightful’ Suggestions on Video in Another Instagram Reel

The government and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held talks on Friday (July 24, 2026) at the Constitution Club of India after the Centre “agreed” to the CJP’s demand that the meeting be held at a neutral venue. The CJP has said the “strictest action” the government could take against examination irregularities was to remove Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that a Bill providing for stringent action against paper leaks would be introduced in Parliament.

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Wake-Up Call for Government, Says Gitanjali Angmo

Hours after activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, Gitanjali Angmo described the developments as a “wake-up call for the government.” (Details to follow in the full report.)